Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory

The climate and food crises are stimulating research into innovative ways to provide sustainable food and healthy nutrition. Microalgae are key players in the aquatic and soil environments, as well as in the aquatic food web. Microalgae produce a wealth of compounds that can be explored for human and animal nutrition and health. Microalgae-based technologies also offer solutions to environmental challenges by integrating biomass production with wastewater treatment, nutrient recovery, and reuse of agriculture run-off nutrients. Activities in the Microalgal Biotechnology Laboratory include physiology, biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology of microalgae in conjunction with biotechnological applications. Fundamental understanding of the mechanisms that govern and control formation of various valuable molecules, particularly focusing of lipids and pigments. Strain development and improvement research aimed at optimizing and enhancing the productivity of microalgae for mass cultivation.